Short breaks to Namibia?
New Air Namibia flights from Gatwick to Windhoek will boost UK visitors to the African country by 30% in a year.
The prediction was made by Namibia Tourism in the countdown to the July 1 start of the new three-day-a-week air link.
The tourism authority believes the service will open up the opportunity for short breaks in Namibia.
Sales and marketing manager Debbie Walker said: “The timing of the new flights from Gatwick present tour operators and agents with the potential to sell Namibia as a short break destination for the first time. People are now prepared to visit Cape Town for a city break, so why not Namibia for a short safari or adventure break?
“Namibia can really be treated as ‘Africa Lite’ – where visitors can enjoy self-drive itineraries which allow the ultimate in flexibility, rather than being confined to a group travel experience. This is particularly attractive to the more independently minded traveller and sets us apart from the classic East Africa safari destinations.
“Several tour operators have reported very favourable business to Namibia recently, including Audley Travel, which is recruiting another dedicated Namibia sales person to cope with the demand. Rainbow Tours will be doubling the brochure coverage for 2006 and Titan Travel, Page & Moy and Somak are all confirmed as new operators to Namibia for 2006.”
She added: “The lack of direct air access has really limited Namibia’s growth potential from the UK over the past few years. The most recent statistics stand at 19,000 visitors from the UK for 2003 and we feel that the demand and potential is there to push this up to 25,000 within the first year of operation of the new flight.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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